Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to take “whatever action is required to right the wrongs” in the case of murdered teenager Henry Nowak, following a private meeting with his family at 10 Downing Street. The family, including parents Mark Nowak and Lucy Ross and stepmother Katie Woodcock, left the meeting after nearly an hour without speaking to reporters.
Sir Keir described the encounter as “profoundly humbling” and praised the family’s “dignity and strength in the face of unimaginable pain.” He said he was moved to learn about Henry’s “kindness, warmth, and love of football,” adding: “Henry deserves a legacy that goes beyond this awful tragedy, and I am committed to making that happen.”
The Prime Minister acknowledged “difficult questions” about the police handling of the case, noting that the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating. He said the government would be “unflinching” in ensuring lessons are learned and justice delivered, urging the country to choose “unity and progress over division and hatred.”
Henry Nowak was murdered in Southampton in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was jailed for life on Monday after using a “Sikh dagger” in the attack. Digwa had initially lied to police, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. Body-worn camera footage showed Henry repeatedly telling officers “I’ve been stabbed,” to which one replied: “Don’t think you have, mate.”
Meanwhile, two men have appeared in court in connection with disorder that broke out during protests over the murder. Daniel Frost, 44, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon after launching bins and a chair at police and taunting officers with a dog lead. Matt Styler, 50, pleaded not guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and was remanded in custody. A full inquest with a jury is scheduled to open on September 20 2027.
